Hundreds out to support Pride rally

SERIOUS MESSAGE... Enough is Enough say supporters with banner.

HOMOPHOBIA was tackled at Oldham Pride with strong messages, a colourful parade, lots of fruit and a kiss.

Oldham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender’s (LGBT) Paul Burgess projected his love for his civil partner in the town centre — something he recently admitted he would never feel comfortable in doing.

Cheers went up in Oldham Town Centre Square as the seventh annual Pride took centre stage in front of hundreds.

A river of colour flowed through the town to celebrate the theme of FRUIT, which stands for freedom, rights, understanding, inclusion and transformation in supporting the LGBT community’s five steps to health, wellbeing and happiness.

Paul (42), of Fitton Hill, who runs the Oldham-based Pink Triangle Theatre company admitted to the Chronicle a fortnight ago that some people within the LGBT community are scared to “come out” in Oldham and he could never hold the hand of his partner in Oldham town centre through fear of abuse.

On Saturday he said: “Although I love my town, I haven’t always felt safe here and that’s because we do have a problem with homophobia in Oldham, especially within our schools.

“We are yet to perform in one Oldham school. We are yet to have an email answered by one Oldham school.”

Dignitaries carrying flags through the parade, that ended at Oldham’s Library and Gallery Oldham, were Superintendent Gary Simpson, Oldham Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Howard Sykes and Chief Executive of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Paul Martin.

He said: “It is true that still today lesbian, gay and transgender people are a target of discrimination. They are the targets of inequality and hatred because of who they are, particular because of who we love.”

Supt Simpson revealed he raised a rainbow flag on the police roof the morning of the parade to show the police force’s commitment in tackling homophobic and transphobic issues.

Former X-Factor finalist Rowetta, who sang with the Happy Mondays, headlined an afternoon of entertainment along with the Prairie Dogs and the Gay Gordons.